Our CSA managers have told us this has been a really bad year for their crops. We have only had enough green beans for one meal a week.The zucchini & other summer squash crops have been good. We have had more cucumbers than I want. There has not been any corn. We have had herbs, that I ordinarily would not buy. I have kept an eye on grocery prices. I think we are getting our money's worth of produce. But I might have bought different options.

I don't know what was in yesterday's share, as we had somebody else pick it up. I wonder if there were bell peppers. We have had them in our yard for about 3 weeks, but none from the CSA.

Next year, we may just try to grow our own again.

Linda - North East Indiana, USA `Goal to build myself up to reach 1,000 fitness minutes per month.

I joined a CSA for the first time this year. It's more expensive for me than the supermarket food, but it also tastes better and I end up trying vegetables that I wouldn't otherwise try. The thing that has helped me most in my quest to not waste my CSA veggies is to deal with what I can right away. Most of the veggies this time of year I end up chopping up and making a salad with. So, as soon as I get home I wash and chop up all the leafy greens and whatever else is going in the salad for the week. I invested in a salad spinner so I run it all through the salad spinner and then put the lid on and store it in the fridge. The bowl is easily accessible and see-through so I can't ignore they're there and I eat all the vegetables.

"If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary-wise; what it is it wouldn't be, and what it wouldn't be, it would. You see?" - Alice from Alice in Wonderland

We picked more herbs than we had time to deal with. I found on the 'net to rinse them off then freeze on a cookie sheet. Then, put in plastic bags. It helps knowing that. Previously I made pesto and froze it. The farmer told me that you can actually make pesto out of almost anything. It doesn't have to be basil. He suggested garlic scapes. I had froze them after cutting in lengths of a green bean and blanching. I like the milder flavor.

Linda - North East Indiana, USA `Goal to build myself up to reach 1,000 fitness minutes per month.

In the community I live in the local center for mental health runs a community supported farm in order to provide employment opportunities. I buy a share in both the spring and summer efforts. I pick up my share once a week - not only is this a great supply of fresh organic produce, it forces me to try different greens and vegetables. Buying into this has greatly increased the nutritional quality of my diet - I make a point of eating everything I get in my share . This had led to some very unconventional meals - but I am feeling great.

I like to go right before they shut down. the vendors are willing to practically give away the produce. I went last weekend at 4:30 and for $5 got a bag of onions, a bunch of cilantro, 2 eggplants, 3 peppers, a pint of cherry tomatos and a zucchini.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts" - Winston Churchill

IN ST. LOUIS THEY HAVE ONE OF THE OLDEST FARMER'S MARKETS --SOULARD. NOT ONLY CAN YOU SAVE MONEY BUT THE VENDORS ARE REALLY INTERESTING. THEY ALL GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO HELP YOU. MY PARENTS USED TO TAKE US WHEN WE LIVED IN ST. LOUIS. WE LIVE APPROX 40 MILES AWAY 7 I STILL LOVE TO GO TO IT.

1. If there are several vendors, walk around and look at all the offerings before you start to buy. Prices and quality can greatly vary form vendor to vendor and from week to week.

2. Bring cash. And smaller bills. Not all vendors can make change first thing in the morning. Plus, you don't have to worry about getting the wrong change amount back. Many places don't offer ATM's or accept debit cards. Many times it's not as safe to use plastic either.

3. Find out if the best deals for you are the first day as soon as they open (fresher pickings, better selection) or the last hour on the last day (sellers may discount items to get rid of them quickly.) Sometime the quality is the same before they close up for the week, but vendors know that the produce may not last until the market reopens next week. However, if it is the beginning or end of the season for certain produce, you need to get those items before they run out.

4. When you find a stand that sells great items at a great price, get to know the vendor. Many times, vendors could bring items to sell that you might be needing, but they only have so much room on their truck. And, if it's a local gardener, they'll know what to plant for you next year as well.

5. Bring a cart or bags to carry your goods in. Have your hands free to feel the quality of each item. Plus, you don't want to spend your shopping day going back & forth to the car!

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